A Blueprint for Innovation

I love innovation, creativity and invention. You know my love affair with the brain and curiosity of Albert Einstein. I have a similar love affair with the passion and creativity of Thomas Edison. That's one reason I devoured Innovate Like Edison by Michael Gelb and Sarah Miller Caldicott.

How is Innovate Like Edison Different?

Edison's genius and creative talents are well documented. With over 70 books written about his life and accomplishments,  Innovate like Edison is unique as the authors highlight Edison's most important contribution; his methods for HOW to innovate.

Before Edison, innovation was viewed as a random product of lone genius. Readers will explore, with hands and mind on exercises, the methods that Edison himself used and imparted to his teams throughout the innovation process; making the case that the greatest product of his genius, the establishment of a systematic approach to success, that could be replicated and applied in all aspects of life and learning.

Edison's Competencies of Innovation

1. Solution-centered Mindset - Edison had a clear purpose and expected to find solutions. The passion of his purpose was a strength, and the author creates an namesake acronym for those passions (E.D.I.S.O.N.)
2. Kaleidoscopic Thinking - Edison had an amazing (and well-practiced) talent of looking at things from all angles. He turned things inside-out and upside down. He also was a masterful practitioner of visual thinking.
3. Full-spectrum Engagement - Edison was always present with the present. No matter what he was doing at a given moment, he focused his energies and thoughts into that one thing at that one moment.
4. Master-mind Collaboration - Together we're smarter is a pet saying of mine. It was a principle practice of Thomas Edison and his master-mind groups were of great importance to himself and his work.
5. Super-value Creation - Inventions are one thing. Taking them to market is often another thing altogether. How does the creating help humanity or solve a problem (See #1 above).

Each section above includes five "Elements" and offers mini-lesson plans and exercises. The last section of the book expands on innovation literacy, offering a self-assessment test on each of the five competencies.

Why Educators Need to Read This Book
Education and business both pay lip service to buzz words like innovation and creativity, but the buzz stops at the words and rarely infiltrates the practice. As our world changes, the demand that our schools and universities to teach the skills of imaginative and analytical thinking become imminent. In the 21st century, innovation is a core competency.

The challenge for educators is that innovation can not be distilled down to isolated lessons neatly placed in 3-ring binders or packed in the latest computer software. Innovation is a mindset; a habitude. It must be nurtured and developed in the conversations we have and the work we do with students. What Edison offers educators is a systematic approach for creating the conditions that fostering the kind of thinking and behaviors necessary for innovation to exist.

This book is like a blueprint in our hands; the construction is up to us.

I believe that anyone, at any age can emulate these habitudes. And in Edison's words, "If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves."

So, let's astound our students and ourselves...shall we?

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I believe that learning is a lifelong journey. I conduct workshops and training sessions helping learners of all ages develop their skills in critical thinking, reading, and communication.
~ Angela Maiers

www.angelamaiers.com
~Opening up the World - One Learner at a Time~

Comments

[Steve Sherlock]

Angela, thanks for this. I had the opportunity to visit the Edison labs in NJ when I lived there. What a toy shop that lab was!

I agree that we need to tap into our potential. I like the inspiration that this group provides. Honk, Honk!

[David Zinger]

I thought, "oh no, not another innovation book." Then I read your review and looked at who the author is. I think Michael Gelb is such a first class writer that I would have missed this book. He never write "another" book so thank you for this.

[Rosa Say]

Angela, sometimes I think this happens - "Education and business both pay lip service to buzz words like innovation and creativity, but the buzz stops at the words and rarely infiltrates the practice." - because we live in a time where remaining focused and deliberate is so darn difficult for people. We want it all without really thinking deeply enough of what is most important, and most worthy of our time - and our perseverance (Ho‘omau).

I am anxious to read this, to discover how it can be both blueprint and creative process at the same time. You certainly make it sound intriguing! - wonderful job on your review.

[Angela Maiers]

>Steve, I am sooo jealous. I would love to see this. I did not know there was such a thing. What a great place to take my kids!

>David, I thought the exact same thing, but new it was a winner when I saw Gelb's name. His co-author is actually Edison's great niece. I think it is his best in the "think like a genius" series. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

[Angela Maiers]

Rosa, you are very kind. My first book review! This was an easy one as I feel so passionate about developing innovation and creativity in our classrooms. You hit the nail on the head when you said: We want it all without really thinking deeply enough of what is most important. These traits are important and worth the time and
Ho‘omau!

[Innovation Catalyst]

Hi Angela,

I write about innovation quite a bit. Regarding your points, I still think people believe innovation and creativity come mainly from the 'lone genius' instead of collaboration between creative, outward-focused people. That particular myth has proven hard to kill. Regarding education, not many of our universities offer courses in creative thinking and problem solving. It comes to us through the business world, largely through consultants and authors. Regarding creativity, everyone has an innate creative style (see the research of Kirton) but not everyone's creativity is the same. Some people are more adept at improving things, while others are focused on creating new and different things. But everyone can learn to think more creatively and solve problems in new and different ways - see some of Michalko's creative thinking techniques books.

[Angela Maiers]

>Innovation Catalyst - It is sad to think that we start developing creativity as adults in the business world (if even that). Children come to us with creative spirit and potential, and they we "teach" it out of them only to hire someone back to get it back! Edison would be sad. I would love to know more about the research of Kirton. Can you send a link? Another powerful voice on creativity: Sir Ken Robinson. check out his TED talks video: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66